KATHMANDU: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the National Bank of Nepal, has started investigation after it received a threat message about hacking into its banking system.

The IT team of the NRB has fanned out to investigate the case following a message via E-mail and Viber threatening to hack the banking system, said Narayan Prasad Pokharel, the Spokesperson of the NRB.

“The IT team is investigating to find out who sent the message on Viber,” said Pokharel, adding, “We are trying to find out whether it is from a hacker or merely a threat message sent by somebody.”

He said that the NRB’s banking system is strong and reliable and it will take help from the police, if need be.

On the other hand, Spokesperson of the Nepal Police SSP Basanta Bahadur Kunwar, said that they have been tipped off that 15 banks including NRB received a hacking warning.

Kunwar further said the police have been investigating the case from their side.

“The Cyber Bureau of the Nepal Police has started investigating the case after being tipped off,” said Kunwar.

A preliminary investigation has shown that the information is fake.